Thursday, February 27, 2014

I've Got Beef...

Does anyone else remember the term "got beef?" Well there are a few things that have been bugging me lately that I've "got beef" with and because I am a type A over-sharer, I figured I'd write about it on my blog. Because why not.

I've got beef with the phrase that's seemed to take over the hearts, minds, souls, and instagram feeds of countless brides-to-be. Sweating for the wedding. There's just something about that phrase that rubs me the wrong way. Don't get me wrong, I think wanting to get in shape for one of the biggest days of your life is a great thing. But what about after the wedding? What is it about your wedding day that makes it more special that it's the only thing you're willing to get healthy for? Shouldn't the prase be something more like "sweating to be healthy" or "sweating for the rest of my life because I want to live past 50."

I don't know if I'm seeing more of it because of this little blogging community or if it's just because I'm at "that age" where all my friends are getting married, but it's EVERYWHERE. I can't help it but I just get so irrationally angry every time I see it.

What are you going to do after you're done "sweating for the wedding?" Are you going to go back to the life you led before you got engaged and suddenly realized you were going to be the center of attention for a good 24 hours and you realized you didn't want bat wings in all of your pictures? Or are you going to continue the "sweating?" If the latter is true, then why do you plaster that phrase everywhere?

Every time I see it, my mind instantly jumps to the conclusion that you don't care about anything but looking good in your dress, while all eyes are on you. Don't think I'm throwing this assumption out all willy-nilly here, because if I'm being honest, I know several ladies that were in excellent shape on their wedding day and have let it all go to pot since then. My only assumption here is that because they weren't sweating for anything anymore, that they just quit. They didn't have a reason to work out and look good, so they gave up.

Shouldn't you WANT to sweat (aka be healthy) for the rest of your life? Shouldn't you want to look good in a bikini (or other swimwear of choice) forever, instead of just on your honeymoon? Shouldn't you want to be able to run, laugh, and play with your future children or even grandchildren, instead of getting short of breath after only a few minutes?

I don't doubt that when I get engaged that I will want to shed just a few extra pounds, because I do agree that I will want to look my absolute best on the day I join my husband in matrimony. But I don't think you'll ever catch me using the phrase "sweating for the wedding" because that's not my end goal.

15 comments:

Maybe it's because you realize there are going to be a MILLION pictures of that one day? I do agree that the focus shouldn't be on the wedding (not only for exercising but for your relationship!), but afterward and your entire life.

I'm not a fan of this phrase either. one of the nicest compliments that I got at my wedding is that I look like myself. I didn't go overboard with spray tan or losing a lot of weight. When I look back at the pictures it looks like who I am and what I look like.

I'll be the first one to admit, my weight loss journey began when I first started dating Nick, but when the wedding time came around, I got more serious about my weight loss. It was the kick in the butt that I needed and now I'm still continuing the routine I've created.

I even set a goal for myself to run at least seven miles a week, and so far (into week 7), I'm meeting that goal. So, I agree with the notion of it being the only reason to get healthy, I do get the inspiration to want to be even more focused because of the wedding.

I weighed twenty pounds more than I do now in our wedding pictures and, actually, our entire wedding day! And, when I look at the pictures I see a really happy girl surrounded by her family and newly married to a gorgeous guy (who weighed 20 pounds less on our wedding day than he does now). Would I change that about our day? Nope. And not once have I thought how much more special the day would have been at a lower weight. So there. I concur.

I have no doubt that when I get engaged I'll be super focused on toning up and losing some extra lbs before the wedding, but I'm SO GLAD that I'm working on my fitness and I'm not engaged. I now feel like this fitness track I'm on is FOR ME and it's a LIFESTYLE CHANGE. I don't have an "end date" like a wedding, because I don't ever want it to "end". That's probably why "sweating for the wedding" grinds my gears too. Why give yourself an end game?

oh my gosh, i 100% agree. i hate when people diet or workout for one specific thing that isn't even health or fitness related. Sweating for Tri-Training is one thing or sweating to be healthy and live a long life is another... but sweating for a wedding. UGH make it stop.

I couldn't agree more. I'm sure I used that little phrase a time or two during my engagement, but what's funny is I hardly "sweat" for my wedding at all. The true sweat has really come now that I'm married and don't want to turn into one of those old married couples who gains 100+ lbs over 40+ years together! I want to be healthy for the rest of forever! Love this!

AGREED. I think the same thing about getting ready for bikini season. It's like, OK, I get it, looking good in tiny bikinis in front of strangers is good, but shouldn't you also want to look good naked ALL YEAR LONG?!